our work

Our Work

The Metro Detroit Restorative Justice Network is a dynamic alliance of practitioners and advocates in Michigan dedicated to the advancement and integration of restorative justice practices across various sectors. We are committed to fostering a culture of healing and accountability, placing the highest value on meeting the needs of those affected by harm, as well as the community at large.

Our mission encompasses:

Offering educational programs and comprehensive training to deepen the knowledge and application of restorative justice.
Enhancing the widespread adoption of restorative principles through informative initiatives.
Building strategic partnerships and engaging with key community stakeholders.
Championing the growth and integration of restorative methods within justice, law enforcement, education, and other societal institutions.
Providing a supportive network and being a go-to resource for restorative justice practitioners.
Upholding and promoting the highest standards of restorative justice practices.
Shaping policies at local and state levels to prioritize public safety, healing, and responsibility in addressing harm.

Our three-pronged approach

legislative and local Advocacy

Strategic organizing towards the advancement of state and local legislation that expands access to RJ-based alternatives to justice in the community and legal system.
Partnerships with community-based organizations who are working on base-building and collaborating to build power amongst Detroiters, and connecting statewide initiatives toward ending mass incarceration.

Community engagement and research

Community-informed research projects.
Community education on the principles and practices of RJ as a viable alternative response to harm and conflict.
Book talks and community-led conversations on how we shape alternatives to policing and incarceration.

community training

Strategic collaborations with community partners who want to develop transformative justice initiatives that employ restorative justice practices, philosophy, and values.
Free training in restorative practices for community members.
As grant-funding allows, paying participants for their learning allows us to include Detroiters who may not be able to afford high-quality training.

Current projects

Community insights survey

The Community Engagement Committee has developed the Community Insights on Safety, Accountability, and Resources survey to give Detroiters a public voice in shaping community-based safety policies and practices. A report of the findings is published on our main home page and here: https://detroitjustice.org/reimagining-justice/

Community Circle keeper training

The Practice Committee has hosted five free Circle Keeper trainings for community members looking to learn restorative practices to address harm and conflict in their communities. We have trained 70 Detroiters since 2023, and are developing future training opportunities for 2026.

nationwide survey of community-based restorative justice centers

The MDRJN is conducting a nationwide survey of community-based restorative justice centers across the U.S. and Canada to learn about the programmatic, funding and operational models currently being practiced. The project aims to develop a set of recommendations for a Detroit-based restorative justice center and as a publically accessible resource. Survey launching in the fall of 2025!